2023:591 - Carrick Street and Maudlin Street, Kells, Meath

Monitoring follows on from recommendations made within an archaeological assessment for the site, which was also carried out under Ministerial Consent C001009 (Reg. No. E005240). The results of archaeological testing confirmed that a ditch and bank associated with the Kells Town Defenses (ME017-044004) runs east–west across the site, c. 15m to the north of the area monitored, for approximately 55–60m as a 6–7m wide V-shaped profile ditch 1.8m deep.

Archaeological monitoring of ground disturbance was undertaken between 26 April and 5 May 2023. Ground disturbance across the site consisted of the stripping back of invasive Japanese knotweed and the stripping of contaminated topsoil within the development area. The area of the town defenses identified by previous archaeological testing was not impacted by the groundworks at this time.

Monitoring did not identify further evidence of the previously identified defensive ditch or the remains of the town wall. No finds or features of archaeological potential were noted within the development area during the course of monitoring. No further mitigation measures are deemed necessary in relation to the removal from the area of contaminated topsoil.